Air conditioner register

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner register includes a downstream retainer portion, a barrel pivotally mounted in the downstream retainer portion to change the flow direction of air for air conditioning, and a pair of guide fins. First outer surfaces of the barrel extend along first inner surfaces of the downstream retainer portion. The barrel is supported pivotally about a pivot shaft extending in the direction perpendicular to a second inner surface of the downstream retainer portion. Each of the guide fins guides air for air conditioning into the opening of the barrel upstream in the airflow direction. Together with pivoting of the barrel from its neutral position, one of the guide fins is moved together with the barrel to a position between the barrel and a portion of the first inner surface of the downstream retainer portion from which the opening of the barrel upstream in the airflow direction becomes separated as the barrel pivots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air conditioner register having a retainer serving as an air duct for air conditioning and a barrel pivotally arranged in the retainer to change the air flow direction.

One such air conditioner register is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-114799. In recent years, typically, a center cluster forming a portion of an instrument panel is arranged between a driver seat and an adjacent passenger seat in a vehicle, with a display device for a navigation system deployed in an upper portion of the center cluster. When the air conditioning register is mounted in a center console of the vehicle having the above-described configuration, the display device restricts the space for installing the air conditioner register.

To solve this problem, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 9, an air conditioner register having an elongated shape is employed. Specifically, the dimension of the register is small in the direction of the width of the vehicle and great in the vertical direction. It is proposed to arrange two such air conditioner registers at both sides of the display device in the direction of the vehicle width.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the air conditioner register includes a retainer 102 and a barrel 104. The retainer 102 is an air duct for air conditioning and has a tubular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. The barrel 104 is pivotally supported in the retainer 102 and has a tubular shape having a substantially rectangular cross section. Hereinafter, a pair of inner surfaces of the retainer 102 each including a corresponding long side of the rectangular shape will be referred to as first inner surfaces 126. A pair of inner surfaces of the retainer 102 each including a corresponding short side of the rectangular shape will be referred to as second inner surfaces 124. A pair of outer surfaces of the barrel 104 each having a corresponding long side of the rectangular shape will be referred to as first outer surfaces 145.

The first outer surfaces 145 of the barrel 104 extend along the first inner surfaces 126 of the retainer 102. The barrel 104 is pivotable about a shaft 142 and a shaft 148 each extending in the direction perpendicular to the second inner surfaces 124 of the retainer 102.

A set of fins 150, each of which extends in the direction of the short side of the rectangular shape of the barrel 104, is formed in the barrel 104. The air conditioner register includes a cover 103 for improving the appearance of the register.

In an air conditioner register having the above-described configuration, the airflow direction is changed by pivoting the barrel 104 from a neutral position. Hereinafter, the opening of the barrel 104 downstream in the airflow direction will be referred to as an inner outlet A. As to the openings of the retainer 102 downstream in the airflow direction, an opening defined by each first inner surface 126 of the retainer 102 and the opposed first outer surface 145 of the barrel 104 will be referred to as an outer outlet B. When the barrel 104 is pivoted leftward or rightward from the neutral position, the inner outlet A is pivoted in the pivot direction of the barrel 104.

In the air conditioner register configured as described above, when the barrel 104 is pivoted from the neutral position as indicated by the lines formed by a long dash alternating with two short dashes in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b), the air directed through the inner outlet A proceeds in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shafts 142, 148 of the barrel 104 and parallel to the first outer surfaces 145 of the barrel 104. The opening area of an outer outlet BL and the opening area of an outer outlet BR are changed by pivoting the barrel 104. Specifically, in the state illustrated in FIG. 10( b), the outer outlet BR at the right side has a decreased opening area. In the state illustrated in FIG. 10( c), the outer outlet BL at the left side has a decreased opening area. Accordingly, the air discharged through a portion of each outer outlet BL, BR having an opening area reduced through pivoting of the barrel 104 proceeds along the corresponding inner surface of the retainer 102. Further, the flow velocity of the air discharged through the portion with the decreased opening area, which is the right outer outlet BR in the example of FIG. 10( b) or the left outer outlet BL in the example of FIG. 10( c), is great compared with the state in which the barrel 104 is arranged at the neutral position. The flow of air moving at a great velocity causes turbulence in the air discharged through the inner outlet A. As a result, the register must be improved in such a manner as to ensure accuracy in flow directions for air conditioning air discharged from the outlets.

This problem is not limited to air conditioner registers having a retainer and a barrel with rectangular cross sections or air conditioner registers mounted in a center console in a passenger compartment as in the above-described case. In other words, the problem is generally common in air conditioner registers having a retainer serving as an air duct for air conditioning and a barrel that is pivotally arranged in the retainer to change the airflow direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an air conditioner register that reliably improves accuracy in flow directions of air for air conditioning discharged through an outlet even when a barrel is pivoted from a neutral position.

To achieve the foregoing objective and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner register is provided that includes a tubular retainer, a barrel, an outer outlet, and a guide mechanism. The tubular retainer functions as a duct of air for air conditioning, and has an inner surface and an opening downstream in an airflow direction. The barrel is pivotally mounted in the retainer and changes a flow direction of air for air conditioning by pivoting about a neutral position. The barrel has an outer surface opposed to the inner surface of the retainer. The barrel includes an upstream opening and a downstream opening that are arranged at an upstream side and a downstream side in the airflow direction, respectively. An outer outlet is formed by the inner surface of the retainer and the outer surface of the barrel at the opening of the retainer. The guide mechanism guides the air for air conditioning into the upstream opening of the barrel. When the barrel pivots in either direction from the neutral position, the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated from one portion of the inner surface of the retainer and approaches another portion of the inner surface of the retainer. Together with pivoting of the barrel from the neutral position, the guide mechanism is moved to a position between the barrel and a portion of the inner surface of the retainer from which the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated as the barrel pivots.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an air conditioner register according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the air conditioner register illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the air conditioner register shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the air conditioner register shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the air conditioner register shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6( a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 3, illustrating a barrel at a neutral position;

FIG. 6( b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the barrel in a state pivoted rightward from the state shown in FIG. 6( a);

FIG. 7( a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 3, illustrating a barrel at a neutral position;

FIG. 7( b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the barrel in a state pivoted rightward from the state shown in FIG. 7( a);

FIG. 7( c) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the barrel in a state pivoted leftward from the state shown in FIG. 7( a);

FIG. 8( a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioning register according to a second embodiment of the invention with a barrel at a neutral position;

FIG. 8( b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the barrel in a state pivoted rightward from the state shown in FIG. 8( a);

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a conventional air conditioner register;

FIG. 10( a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10( b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a barrel in a state pivoted rightward from the state shown in FIG. 10( a); and

FIG. 10( c) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the barrel in a state pivoted leftward from the state shown in FIG. 10( a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

An air conditioner register according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The air conditioner register of the first embodiment is mounted in a center cluster, which is arranged between a driver seat and an adjacent passenger seat in a vehicle and forms a portion of an instrument panel. Specifically, a display device for a navigation system is arranged in an upper portion of the center cluster. Two air conditioner registers according to the first embodiment are mounted at both sides of the display device in the direction of the width of the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the air conditioner registers has an elongated shape with a vertical dimension greater than a horizontal dimension. The air conditioner register has a retainer 2, a barrel 4, a pair of guide fins 7, a support member 8, and a cover 3.

The configuration of the air conditioner retainer will hereafter be described.

<Retainer 2>

The retainer 2, which serves as an air duct for air conditioning, includes an upstream retainer portion 20 arranged upstream in an airflow direction and a downstream retainer portion 21 located downstream in the airflow direction. The upstream retainer portion 20 and the downstream retainer portion 21 each have a tubular shape having a substantially rectangular cross section.

A flange 20A is formed along the entire periphery of the end of the upstream retainer portion 20 downstream in the airflow direction. Four holes 20B are formed in portions of the flange 20A corresponding to the long sides of the rectangular shape.

The downstream retainer portion 21 includes a pair of flat plate-like side portions 25 each including a corresponding long side of the rectangular shape, a flat plate-like top portion 22, and a flat plate-like bottom portion 27. The top portion 22 and the bottom portion 27 each include a corresponding short side of the rectangular shape. Hereinafter, the inner surface of each of the side portions 25 will be referred to as a first inner surface 26. The inner surface of the top portion 22 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 27 will be referred to as second inner surfaces 24.

Four projections 25B, which are received in the four holes 20B of the upstream retainer portion 20, project from the ends of the side portions 25 that are upstream in the airflow direction. The end of each side portion 25 downstream in the airflow direction is formed substantially in an arcuate shape. Specifically, a portion of the downstream end of each side portion 25 more separated from the top portion 22 and the bottom portion 27 in the extending direction of the long side of the rectangular shape, which is the up-down direction as viewed in FIG. 1, projects more forward in a downstream direction of the airflow direction.

A groove 23 for attaching the support member 8, which will be described in detail below, is formed in the top portion 22.

A hole 28 for pivotally supporting a pivot shaft 48 of the barrel 4, which will be described in detail below, is formed in the vicinity of the end of the bottom portion 27 downstream in the airflow direction. A pair of holes 29 for pivotally supporting the two guide fins 7, which will be described in detail below, are formed in the end of the bottom portion 27 upstream in the airflow direction. In FIG. 1, only one of the holes 29 is shown.

<Barrel 4>

A barrel 4 is pivotally supported in the downstream retainer portion 21 to change the airflow direction. The barrel 4 includes a barrel body 40 having a tubular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section, a fin set 50 received in the barrel body 40, and a rod 60 that holds the fin set 50 together.

The barrel body 40 includes a pair of flat plate-like side portions 44 each including a long side of the rectangular shape, a flat plate-like top portion 41, and a flat plate-like bottom portion 47. The top portion 41 and the bottom portion 47 each include a short side of the rectangular shape. The edge of each side portion 44 downstream in the airflow direction is formed substantially in an arcuate shape in correspondence with the shape of the downstream end of the corresponding side portion 25 of the downstream retainer portion 21. Hereinafter, an outer surface of each side portion 44 will be referred to as a first outer surface 45.

The first outer surfaces 45 of the barrel body 40 are formed in such a manner as to extend along the corresponding first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21.

A pivot shaft 42 projects from the top portion 41 of the barrel body 40 and extends perpendicular to the top portion 41. The pivot shaft 42 extends from the top portion 41 toward the opposed second inner surface 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21. In other words, when the barrel body 40 is joined to the downstream retainer portion 21, the pivot shaft 42 extends perpendicular to the second inner surface 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21. An actuation hole 43 that receives actuation shafts 72 for the guide fins 7, which will be described in detail below, is formed in the top portion 41 at a position upstream from the pivot shaft 42 in the airflow direction. The actuation hole 43 permits the actuation shafts 72 to move along the actuation hole 43.

The pivot shaft 48 projects from the bottom portion 47 of the barrel body 40 and extends perpendicular to the bottom portion 47. The pivot shaft 48 extends from the bottom portion 47 toward the opposed second inner surface 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21. In other words, when the barrel body 40 is joined to the downstream retainer portion 21, the pivot shaft 48 extends perpendicular to the second inner surface 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21. An actuation hole 49 that receives actuation shafts 76 for the guide fins 7, which will be described in detail below, is formed in the bottom portion 47 at a position upstream from the pivot shaft 48 in the airflow direction. As has been described, the pivot shaft 48 of the barrel body 40 is passed through the hole 28 of the downstream retainer portion 21.

Six holes 46 are formed in each one of the side portions 44 of the barrel body 40 and spaced apart at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of each long side of the rectangular shape.

The fin set 50 is formed by six fin bodies 51, each of which has a substantially flat plate-like shape. Each of the fin bodies 51 is arranged in such a manner as to extend along the top portion 41 and the bottom portion 47 of the barrel body 40. The six fin bodies 51 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of each side portion 44. Each fin body 51 has a pivot shaft 52 passed through the corresponding holes 46, an arm portion 55 projecting upstream from the end of the fin body 51 located upstream in the airflow direction, and a projection 53 projecting from the distal end of the arm portion 55 and extending parallel to the axial direction of the pivot shaft 52. One of the six fin bodies 51 has a manipulation knob 54, which is formed at the end of the fin body 51 downstream in the airflow direction.

Six holes 61 are formed in the rod 60 and spaced apart at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rod 60. The projections 53 of the fin bodies 51 are passed through the corresponding holes 61.

The pivot shafts 52 of the fin bodies 51 are passed through the corresponding holes 46 of the barrel body 40 and the projections 53 of the fin bodies 51 are received in the corresponding holes 61 of the rod 60. In this manner, the barrel body 40, the fin set 50, and the rod 60 are assembled together.

<Guide Fins 7>

Each of the guide fins 7 includes a guide plate 73, a top portion 70, and a bottom portion 74. The guide fins 7 are arranged in the downstream retainer portion 21 at positions upstream from the opening of the barrel body 40 located upstream in the airflow direction.

Each of the guide plates 73 is shaped like a flat plate. More specifically, each guide plate 73 includes a flat rectangular surface. The guide plates 73 each extend along the entirety of the corresponding long side of the rectangular shape of the barrel body 40.

The top portion 70 of each guide fin 7 has a flat plate-like shape, which is, more specifically, a sectoral shape, and includes the arc and the two sides forming the radii of the sector. Each top portion 70 is coupled to the corresponding guide plate 73 at the corresponding longitudinal end (the upper end as viewed in FIG. 1) of the guide plate 73 and extends perpendicular to the guide plate 73. Specifically, a portion of each top portion 70 defined by a radius of the sector is connected to the corresponding guide plate 73 in such a manner that the portion of the top portion 70 corresponding to the arc of the sector is located downstream in the airflow direction. A pivot shaft 71, which projects toward the top portion 22 of the downstream retainer portion 21 (upward as viewed in FIG. 1), is formed in the portion of each top portion 70 corresponding to the center of the sector, which is the portion between the two radii. Each actuation shaft 72, which projects toward the bottom portion 27 of the downstream retainer portion 21 (downward as viewed in the drawing), is formed in the portion of the corresponding top portion 70 farthest from the end of the corresponding guide plate 73.

The bottom portion 74 of each guide fin 7 is configured in correspondence with the top portion 70. Each bottom portion 74 has a flat plate-like shape, or, more specifically, a sectoral shape and includes the arc and the two sides forming the radii of the sector. Each bottom portion 74 is coupled to the corresponding guide plate 73 at the corresponding longitudinal end (the lower end as viewed in FIG. 1) of the guide plate 73 and extends perpendicular to the guide plate 73. Specifically, a portion of each bottom portion 74 defined by a radius of the sector is connected to the corresponding guide plate 73 in such a manner that the portion of the bottom portion 74 corresponding to the arc of the sector is located downstream in the airflow direction. A pivot shaft 75, which projects toward the bottom portion 27 of the downstream retainer portion 21 (downward as viewed in the drawing), is formed in the portion of each bottom portion 74 corresponding to the center of the sector, which is the portion between the two radii. Each actuation shaft 76, which projects toward the top portion 22 of the downstream retainer portion 21 (upward as viewed in the drawing), is formed in the portion of the corresponding bottom portion 74 farthest from the end of the corresponding guide plate 73.

When the barrel 4 and the guide fins 7 are mounted in the downstream retainer portion 21, the top portions 70 of the guide fins 7 are arranged between the top portion 22 of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the top portion 41 of the barrel body 40 and the bottom portions 74 of the guide fins 7 are located between the bottom portion 27 of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the bottom portion 47 of the barrel body 40.

<Support Member 8>

The support member 8 is attached to the groove 23 formed in the top portion 22 of the downstream retainer portion 21. The support member 8 pivotally supports the barrel 4 and the guide fins 7. The support member 8 includes a flat plate-like base portion 81 extending between the two side portions 25 of the downstream retainer portion 21 and an extended portion 83 extending downstream from the base portion 81 in the airflow direction. The support member 8, as a whole, has a substantially T shape. Holes 82 are formed at two ends of the base portion 81 to pivotally support the pivot shafts 71 of the guide fins 7. A hole 84 for pivotally supporting the pivot shaft 42 of the barrel body 40 is formed at the distal end of the extended portion 83. Specifically, the support member 8 is attached to the groove 23 of the top portion 22 from outside the downstream retainer portion 21 after the barrel 4 and the guide fins 7 are mounted in the downstream retainer portion 21.

<Cover 3>

The cover 3 has a tubular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section and forms a decorative surface of the air conditioner register. An opening 30 of the cover 3, which is located downstream in the airflow direction, is sized slightly smaller than the opening of the downstream retainer portion 21 downstream in the airflow direction. The opening 30 functions substantially as an outlet of an air stream from the air conditioner register. The end surface of the cover 3 arranged downstream in the airflow direction is shaped substantially arcuate in correspondence with the shapes of the ends of the side portions 25 of the downstream retainer portion 21 downstream in the airflow direction and the shapes of the ends of the side portions 44 of the barrel body 40 downstream in the airflow direction.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening of the barrel 4 downstream in the airflow direction is an inner outlet A from which air for air conditioning is discharged. In the opening of the downstream retainer portion 21 downstream in the airflow direction, the opening formed by each first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the opposed first outer surface 45 of the barrel body 40 is an outer outlet B from which air for air conditioning is discharged.

When the barrel 4 is arranged at such a position that the first outer surfaces 45 of the barrel body 40 extend parallel with the first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21, it is defined that the barrel 4 is located at its neutral position. When the fin set 50 is arranged at such a position that the fin set 50 extends parallel to the inner surface of the top portion 41 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 47 of the barrel body 40, it is defined that the fin set 50 is located at its neutral position.

When the barrel 4 is at the neutral position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 and the manipulation knob 54 is manipulated leftward or rightward as viewed in the drawings, the force is transmitted from the fin body 51 having the manipulation knob 54 to the barrel body 40. This pivots the barrel body 40 about the pivot shafts 42, 48. As a result, the inner outlet A is pivoted leftward or rightward.

In contrast, when the fin set 50 is at the neutral position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 and the manipulation knob 54 is manipulated upward or downward as viewed in the drawings, the force is transmitted from the fin body 51 having the manipulation knob 54 to the other fin bodies 51 through the rod 60 and the projections 53 of these fin bodies 51. This pivots the fin bodies 51 about the associated pivot shafts 52. As a result, the inner outlet A is pivoted in the direction upward or downward.

The configuration of the barrel 4 and the configuration of each guide fin 7 will hereafter be described in further detail, together with the operation of each of the barrel 4 and the guide fins 7.

Hereinafter, regarding the two guide fins 7, the guide fin located at the left side as viewed in the drawings will be referred to as the left guide fin 7L and the guide fin arranged at the right side as viewed in the drawings will be referred to as the right guide fin 7R. As to the two first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21, the first inner surface arranged at the left side as viewed in the drawings will be referred to as the first inner surface 26L and the first inner surface located at the left side as viewed in the drawings will be referred to as the first inner surface 26R.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b), the top portion 41 of the barrel body 40 is projected further upstream in the airflow direction than the side portions 44. The actuation hole 43, through which the actuation shafts 72L, 72R of the guide fins 7L, 7R are passed, is formed in the projected portion of the top portion 41. With reference to FIG. 6( a), the actuation hole 43 has an arcuate portion 43C, a left portion 43L, and a right portion 43R. The arcuate portion 43C has an arcuate shape about the pivot shaft 42. The left portion 43L is connected to the left end of the arcuate portion 43C. The left portion 43L extends toward the pivot shaft 71L of the left guide fin 7L when the barrel 4 is at the neutral position. The right portion 43R is connected to the right end of the arcuate portion 43C. The right portion 43R extends toward the pivot shaft 71R of the right guide fin 7R when the barrel 4 is at the neutral position. Although not illustrated, the bottom portion 47 of the barrel body 40 and the actuation hole 49 formed in the bottom portion 47 are shaped in correspondence with the shape of the top portion 41 and the shape of the actuation hole 43 formed in the top portion 41, respectively.

When the barrel 4 is at the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 6( a), the actuation shafts 72L, 72R of the guide fins 7L, 7R are arranged at both ends of the arcuate portion 43C of the actuation hole 43 formed in the barrel body 40. In this state, each one of the guide plates 73L, 73R is held in contact with the corresponding one of the first inner surfaces 26L, 26R of the downstream retainer portion 21.

Subsequently, if the barrel 4 is pivoted rightward from the above-described state until the barrel 4 contacts the corresponding first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21, the actuation hole 43 of the barrel body 40 is moved counterclockwise about the pivot shaft 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6( b). In this state, the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction is separated from the first inner surface 26R, which is located at the right side in the downstream retainer portion 21, and brought close to the first inner surface 26L, which is arranged at the left side in the downstream retainer portion 21.

Specifically, the actuation shaft 72L of the left guide fin 7L moves relative to the actuation hole 43 in the extending direction of the arcuate portion 43C and thus eventually reaches the right end of the arcuate portion 43C. This prevents the left guide fin 7L from pivoting together with the barrel 4 when the barrel 4 pivots. The guide plate 73L is thus maintained as a whole in contact with the first inner surface 26L of the downstream retainer portion 21.

The actuation shaft 72R of the right guide fin 7R moves relative to the actuation hole 43 in the extending direction of the right portion 43R and thus eventually reaches the right end of the right portion 43R. This allows the right guide fin 7R to pivot clockwise about the pivot shaft 71R together with the barrel 4 when the barrel 4 pivots. The guide plate 73R of the right guide fin 7R is thus arranged between the right first inner surface 26R of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction.

Operation of the air conditioner register according to the first embodiment will hereafter be described with reference to FIG. 7.

When the barrel 4 is at the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 7( a), air for air conditioning is discharged from the inner outlet A, which is the opening of the barrel 4 downstream in the airflow direction, and the outer outlets BL, BR and in the axial direction of the downstream retainer portion 21.

When the barrel 4 is pivoted rightward from the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 7( b), the inner outlet A is oriented rightward correspondingly. In this state, the opening area of the left outer outlet BL is increased and the opening area of the right outer outlet BR is decreased. However, at a position upstream from the right outer outlet BR in the airflow direction, the guide plate 73R of the right guide fin 7R, which is arranged between the right first inner surface 26R of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the barrel 4, guides the stream of air for air conditioning toward the opening C of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. This prevents the air for air conditioning from flowing through the right outer outlet BR.

When the barrel 4 is pivoted leftward from the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 7( c), the inner outlet A is oriented leftward correspondingly. In this state, the opening area of the right outer outlet BR is increased and the opening area of the left outer outlet BL is decreased. However, at a position upstream from the left outer outlet BL in the airflow direction, the guide plate 73L of the left guide fin 7L, which is arranged between the left first inner surface 26L of the downstream retainer portion 21 and the barrel 4, guides the stream of the air for air conditioning toward the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. This prevents the air for air conditioning from flowing through the left outer outlet BL.

The downstream retainer portion 21 of the first embodiment corresponds to a retainer according to the present invention. The actuation holes 43, 49 of the barrel 4 and the guide fins 7L, 7R of the first embodiment correspond to a guide mechanism according to the invention. The pivot shafts 71L, 71R of the first embodiment each correspond to a pivot shaft according to the invention. The actuation holes 43, 49 of the barrel 4 and the actuation shafts 72, 76 of the guide fins 7 of the first embodiment correspond to an actuation mechanism according to the invention. The left portion 43L and the right portion 43R of the actuation hole 43 correspond to a first portion and a second portion, respectively, according to the invention.

The air conditioner register of the first embodiment, which has been described, has the advantages described below.

(1) The air conditioner register has the tubular downstream retainer portion 21 serving as an air duct for air conditioning and the barrel 4, which is pivotally supported in the downstream retainer portion 21 to change the air flow direction. Specifically, the downstream retainer portion 21 and the barrel 4 each have a tubular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. The first outer surfaces 45 of the barrel 4 are formed along the first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21. The barrel 4 is pivotable about the pivot shafts 42, 48, which extend perpendicular to the second inner surfaces 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21. The two guide fins 7 are pivotally attached to the barrel 4. When the barrel 4 is pivoted from the neutral position, the guide fins 7 are pivoted together with the barrel 4 and moved to positions between the first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21 from which the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction becomes spaced as the barrel 4 is pivoted and the barrel 4. The guide fins 7 thus guide the stream of the air for air conditioning into the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. Specifically, each guide fin 7 has the guide plate 73, the pivot shafts 71, 75, and the actuation mechanism. The guide plate 73 is located upstream from the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. The pivot shafts 71, 75 are shafts that extend in a direction perpendicular to the second inner surface 24 of the downstream retainer portion 21 and pivotally support the guide plate 73. The actuation mechanism functions to pivot the guide plate 73 together with the barrel 4 when the barrel 4 pivots.

When the barrel 4 is pivoted from the neutral position, the corresponding guide fin 7 is moved and sent to the position between the barrel 4 and a portion of the inner surface of the downstream retainer portion 21 from which the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction becomes separated as the barrel 4 pivots. The guide fin 7 thus guides the stream of the air for air conditioning into the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. This prevents the air for air conditioning from being discharged through the outer outlet B located downstream from the space accommodating the guide fin 7 in the airflow direction, which is the portion of the outer outlet B having the opening area reduced through pivoting of the barrel 4. In this manner, the air for air conditioning is prevented from being discharged through the outer outlet B to cause turbulence in the stream of the air for air conditioning discharged through the inner outlet A. As a result, even when the barrel 4 is pivoted from the neutral position, accuracy in flow directions is reliably improved of the air for air conditioning discharged through the outlets.

(2) The pivot shafts 71, 75 of each guide fin 7 are arranged at the ends of the guide plates 73 and in the vicinity of the first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21. The actuation mechanism maintains contact between the guide plate 73 as a whole and the first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21 when the barrel 4 is at the neutral position. This prevents the guide fins 7, or, specifically, the guide plates 73, which are accommodated in the downstream retainer portion 21, from causing turbulence in the stream of the air for air conditioning in the downstream retainer portion 21.

(3) Each guide plate 73 extends along the entirety of the corresponding long side of the rectangular shape of the barrel 4 in the downstream retainer portion 21. This configuration allows the guide plate 73 to reliably guide the air stream for air conditioning into the opening of the barrel 4 upstream in the airflow direction. This reliably prevents the air for air conditioning from being discharged through the portion of the outer outlet B corresponding to the opening area reduced through pivoting of the barrel 4.

(4) Each one of the guide plates 73L, 73R corresponds to the one of the two first inner surfaces 26L, 26R of the downstream retainer portion 21. When the barrel 4 pivots, the actuation mechanism pivots the corresponding one of the two guide plates 73L, 73R together with the barrel 4 and causes the other one of the guide plates 73L, 73R to contact the corresponding first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21. This prevents the other guide plate 73L (73R) from being moved to such a position that the guide plate 73L (73R) causes turbulence in the air stream for air conditioning in the downstream retainer portion 21.

Second Embodiment

An air conditioner register according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 8. The components of the second embodiment that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components of the first embodiment are given reference numerals determined by adding 200 to the reference numerals of the corresponding components of the first embodiment. Detailed description of the same or similar components will be omitted herein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b), an air conditioner register having an elongated shape includes a retainer 202, a barrel 204, a guide fin 207L, a guide fin 207R, and a cover 203.

<Retainer 202>

The retainer 202 has an upstream retainer portion 220 and a downstream retainer portion 221.

The upstream retainer portion 220 is formed in such a manner that the distance between a first inner surface 220L and a first inner surface 220R, which are the two inner surfaces, becomes greater toward a downstream side in an airflow direction.

The downstream retainer portion 221 is formed in such a manner that the distance between the two inner surfaces of the downstream retainer portion 221 is maximized at the end of the downstream retainer portion 221 upstream in the airflow direction, at which the downstream retainer portion 221 is coupled to the upstream retainer portion 220, and greatly reduced toward a downstream side in the airflow direction. The inner surfaces of the downstream retainer portion 221 are formed parallel with each other at the portions including the end of the downstream retainer portion 221 downstream in the airflow direction.

As a result, the retainer 202 is shaped to project in lateral directions, as viewed in FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b), at the position at which the upstream retainer portion 220 and the downstream retainer portion 221 are coupled together. The interior of each projected portion of the retainer 202 forms an accommodation space SL, SR shaped substantially as a triangular prism.

<Barrel 204>

A barrel body 240 forming the barrel 204 has a pair of side portions 244 and the inner surface of one side portion 244 and the inner surface of the other side portion 244 extend parallel to each other. An actuation hole 243L, 243R is formed at the end of each side portion 244 upstream in the airflow direction.

<Guide Fins 207>

As illustrated in FIG. 8( b), a guide fin 207L (207R) has a guide plate 273L (273R). Each guide plate 273L (273R) is shaped to extend along the corresponding first inner surface 220L (220R) of the upstream retainer portion 220. Specifically, when the guide plate 273L is in contact with the first inner surface 220L, the guide plate 273L has a substantially plate-like upstream portion located upstream in the airflow direction and a substantially plate-like downstream portion connected to the upstream portion. The downstream portion of the guide plate 273L extends outward toward the downstream side in the airflow direction.

A pivot shaft 271L, 271R, which pivotally supports the associated guide plate 273L, 273R with respect to the upstream retainer portion 220, projects from the end of the guide plate 273L, 273R upstream in the airflow direction.

A top portion 270L, 270R, which is shaped substantially like a flat triangular plate, is coupled to the end of each guide plate 273L, 273R downstream in the airflow direction. An actuation shaft 272L, 272R, which is passed through the corresponding actuation hole 243L, 243R formed in the barrel body 240, projects from the top portion 270L, 270R.

Although not illustrated, a bottom portion corresponding to the top portion 270L, 270R is connected to the lower end of the corresponding guide plate 273L, 273R, as in the case of the first embodiment. An actuation shaft corresponding to the actuation shaft 272L, 272R projects from the bottom portion.

Operation of the air conditioner register of the second embodiment will hereafter be described.

When the barrel 4 is at the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 8( a), the guide plate 273L, 273R of each guide fin 207L, 207R is separated from the corresponding first inner surface 220L, 220R of the upstream retainer portion 220 and the downstream portions of the guide plates 273L, 273R extend parallel to each other. Specifically, the downstream portion of each guide plate 273L, 273R extends in the axial direction of the upstream retainer portion 220, or, in other words, extends along the corresponding side portion 244 of the barrel body 240.

When the barrel 204 is pivoted rightward from the neutral position as illustrated in FIG. 8( b), each actuation hole 243L, 243R of the barrel body 240 is pivoted counterclockwise about a corresponding pivot axis (not illustrated). In this state, the opening of the barrel 204 upstream in the airflow direction is separated from the right first inner surface 220R of the upstream retainer portion 220 and brought close to the left first inner surface 220L.

Also in this state, together with the barrel 204, the left guide fin 207L pivots clockwise about the pivot shaft 271L as viewed in FIG. 8( b). This causes contact between the entirety of the guide plate 273L and the left first inner surface 220L of the upstream retainer portion 220. In other words, the downstream portion of the guide plate 273L and the top portion 270L are accommodated in the accommodation space SL.

Further, the right guide fin 207R also pivots together with the barrel 204 and clockwise about the pivot shaft 271R as viewed in the drawing. This sends the guide plate 273R to a position between the right first inner surface 220R of the upstream retainer portion 220 and the opening of the barrel 204 upstream in the airflow direction.

The upstream retainer portion 220 of the second embodiment corresponds to the retainer according to the present invention. The actuation holes 243L, 243R of the barrel 204 and the actuation shafts 272L, 272R of the guide fins 207L, 207R of the second embodiment correspond to the actuation mechanism according to the invention.

The air conditioner register of the second embodiment, which has been described, has the advantages similar to the advantages (1) to (4) of the first embodiment.

The air conditioner register according to the present invention is not restricted to the illustrated embodiments but may be embodied in, for example, the modified forms described below.

As in the illustrated embodiments, it is desirable that, as the barrel 4 (204) is pivoted, the corresponding one of the two guide plates 73L, 73R (273L, 273R) be pivoted together with the barrel 4 through the actuation mechanism with the entirety of the other one of the guide plates 73L, 73R (273L, 273R) held in contact with the corresponding first inner surface of the retainer. In this manner, the other guide plate is prevented from being arranged at such a position that the guide plate causes turbulence in the stream of the air for air conditioning in the retainer. However, if this problem can be ignored, the other guide plate may be pivoted separately from the first inner surface of the retainer.

In the first embodiment, the guide fins 7 are arranged in correspondence with the two first inner surfaces 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21. In the second embodiment, the guide fins 207L, 207R are formed in correspondence with the first inner surfaces 220L, 220R of the upstream retainer portion 220. However, the present invention is not restricted to such configurations. That is, a guide fin may be formed in correspondence with one of two first inner surfaces of the retainer.

In the first embodiment, the pivot shaft 71, 75 of each guide fin 7 is arranged at one end of the corresponding guide plate 73 and in the vicinity of the corresponding first inner surface 26 of the downstream retainer portion 21. A similar configuration is employed also in the second embodiment. In other words, in the illustrated embodiments, flap type guide fins are employed. However, the present invention is not restricted to such types. That is, for example, other types such as a butterfly type guide mechanism may be employed. Specifically, a pivot shaft may be arranged at the center of the corresponding guide plate and at the middle position between the opening of the barrel upstream in the airflow direction and the corresponding first inner surface of the retainer.

As in the first embodiment, it is desirable that each guide plate 73 extend along the entirety of the corresponding long side of the rectangular shape of the barrel 4 in the downstream retainer portion 21. This further prevents air for air conditioning from being discharged through the portion BL (BR) of the outer outlet B corresponding to the opening area decreased through pivoting of the barrel 4. Also in the second embodiment, for a similar purpose, each guide plate 273L, 273R extends along the entirety of the corresponding long side of the rectangular shape of the barrel 204 in the upstream retainer portion 220. However, the present invention is not restricted to such configurations. That is, for example, a guide plate may be formed in correspondence with a portion of a corresponding long side of the rectangular shape of the barrel 4 in the downstream retainer portion 21.

In the first embodiment, the actuation mechanism that pivots each guide plate 73 about the actuation shafts 72, 76 is employed. A similar configuration is employed also in the second embodiment. However, the guide mechanism according to the present invention is not restricted to the guide mechanism of the illustrated embodiments. For example, a mechanism for linearly moving a guide plate may be employed.

If a display device for a navigation system is mounted in an upper portion of a center cluster and air conditioner registers are arranged at both sides of the display device in the direction of the width of the vehicle, each of the air conditioner registers must be installed in a limited space. Accordingly, as in the illustrated embodiments, it is desirable to employ an air conditioner register having a retainer and a barrel each with a substantially rectangular cross section, which is an elongated air conditioner register. However, the air conditioner register according to the present invention is not restricted to such a configuration. For example, the air conditioner register may have a substantially square cross section, a substantially oval cross section, or a substantially circular cross section. Also in these cases, the guide mechanism of the illustrated embodiments is employed. Specifically, when the barrel pivots from the neutral position, the guide mechanism moves together with the barrel to a position between the portion of the corresponding inner surface of the retainer from which the opening of the barrel upstream in the airflow direction becomes separated as the barrel pivots and the barrel. The guide mechanism thus guides the air for air conditioning into the opening of the barrel upstream in the airflow direction.

Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims. 

1. An air conditioner register comprising: a tubular retainer functioning as a duct of air for air conditioning, the retainer having an inner surface and an opening downstream in an airflow direction; a barrel that is pivotally mounted in the retainer and changes a flow direction of air for air conditioning by pivoting about a neutral position, the barrel having an outer surface opposed to the inner surface of the retainer, the barrel including an upstream opening and a downstream opening that are arranged at an upstream side and a downstream side in the airflow direction, respectively; an outer outlet formed by the inner surface of the retainer and the outer surface of the barrel at the opening of the retainer; and a guide mechanism for guiding the air for air conditioning into the upstream opening of the barrel, wherein when the barrel pivots in either direction from the neutral position, the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated from one portion of the inner surface of the retainer and approaches another portion of the inner surface of the retainer, and together with pivoting of the barrel from the neutral position, the guide mechanism is moved to a position between the barrel and a portion of the inner surface of the retainer from which the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated as the barrel pivots.
 2. The air conditioner register according to claim 1, wherein, when the barrel is at the neutral position, the guide mechanism is arranged to extend along the inner surface of the retainer.
 3. The air conditioner register according to claim 1, wherein: the retainer and the barrel both have a tubular shape having a substantially rectangular cross section; the inner surface of the retainer includes a pair of first inner surfaces each including a long side of the substantially rectangular shape and a pair of second inner surfaces each including a short side of the substantially rectangular shape, the outer surface of the barrel having a pair of first outer surfaces each including a long side of the substantial rectangular shape; the first outer surfaces of the barrel extend along the first inner surfaces of the retainer, and the barrel is pivotable about a shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the second inner surfaces of the retainer; and together with pivoting of the barrel from the neutral position, the guide mechanism is moved to a position between the barrel and a portion of the first inner surface of the retainer from which the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated as the barrel pivots.
 4. The air conditioner register according to claim 3, wherein the guide mechanism includes: at least one plate-like guide plate arranged upstream from the upstream opening of the barrel in the airflow direction; at least one pivot shaft that extends in a direction perpendicular to the second inner surfaces of the retainer and pivotally supports the guide plate; and an actuation mechanism that pivots the guide plate together with pivoting of the barrel, wherein, together with pivoting of the barrel, the actuation mechanism pivots the guide plate to a position between the barrel and a portion of the first inner surface of the retainer from which the upstream opening of the barrel becomes separated as the barrel pivots.
 5. The air conditioner register according to claim 4, wherein the guide plate extends along the entirety of the long side of the substantial rectangular shape of the barrel in the retainer.
 6. The air conditioner register according to claim 4, wherein the at least one pivot shaft is arranged at one end of the at least one guide plate and in the vicinity of a corresponding one of the first inner surfaces of the retainer.
 7. The air conditioner register according to claim 6, wherein, when the barrel is at the neutral position, the actuation mechanism causes the entirety of the at least one guide plate to contact the corresponding first inner surface of the retainer.
 8. The air conditioner register according to claim 6, wherein: the at least one guide plate includes a pair of guide plates, the at least one pivot shaft including a pair of pivot shafts, the guide plates and the pivot shafts being arranged in correspondence with the two first inner surfaces of the retainer, and together with pivoting of the barrel, the actuation mechanism pivots a corresponding one of the guide plates, while maintaining contact between the entirety of one of the guide plates and the corresponding one of the first inner surfaces of the retainer.
 9. The air conditioner register according to claim 8, wherein the actuation mechanism includes: an actuation shaft that is formed integrally with each one of the guide plates and extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of each pivot shaft; and actuation holes each formed in a portion of the barrel including a short side of the substantial rectangular, each actuation hole receiving one of the actuation shafts, wherein each actuation hole includes: an arcuate portion having an arcuate shape about the shaft about which the barrel pivots, the arcuate portion having a first end and a second end; a first portion that is connected to the first end of the arcuate portion and extends toward the pivot shaft of the corresponding one of the two guide plates when the barrel is at the neutral position; and a second portion that is connected to the second end of the arcuate portion and extends toward the pivot shaft of the other one of the guide plates when the barrel is at the neutral position. 